GB716853A - Preparation of lower titanium chlorides - Google Patents

Abstract

716,853. Electrolytic production of lower titanium chlorides. TITAN CO., Inc. Nov. 18, 1952, [Nov. 20, 1951.] No. 29151/52. Drawings to Specification. Class 41. Into a cell having an anode of titanium and a molten electrolyte composed of one or more of the halide salts of the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and magnesium, titanium tetrachloride is introduced below the surface of the electrolyte and adjacent the cathode; the tetrachloride is reduced to a lower chloride or chlorides with solution of an equivalent amount of titanium from the anode. To obtain a product consisting predominantly of titanium dichloride the amount of electricity passed should be 1.8-2.3 faradays for each mol of titanium tetrachloride introduced. In examples the electrolyte consists of a mixture of strontium and sodium chlorides at 700 ‹C. The titanium tetrachloride may be introduced through a bore in the cathode or by a separate inlet. The cathode may be of nickel. The anode may consist of a sintered rod or titanium or of lumps of impure titanium enclosed in a nickel basket. The cell is heated by gas flames and is provided with a vent for gaseous products. An atmosphere of argon or other inert gas is maintained above the electrolyte. According to one example a product of composition 1,2 molal titanium dichloride and 0.3 molal titanium trichloride is obtained; this may be used as electrolyte in the refining of impure titanium.